Whilst we’re all familiar with the iconic Air Max silhouettes from the 90s, there are new Air Max models in the modern era that have earnt attention. One of the latest releases being the Nike Air Max Invigor. This sneaker borrows notable design cues from the Air Max 95. And while this may be a toned-down version of the Sergio Lozano masterpiece, the shoe still turns a lot of heads.
This Nike Air Max Invigor Review and Size Guide will cover everything you need to know about this shoe. We’ll talk about the comfort, aesthetics, fit, and of course, where to buy if you’re interested in copping a pair. Without further ado, let’s discuss this underrated Nike Air Max model.
At first glance, you can easily tell the Nike Air Max 95 inspiration on the upper construction. However, the Air Max Invigor is more lightweight due to its Breathe Tech upper which combines foam and mesh. Foam pillars on the sides resemble the internal eyestays of the AM95s. The overall shape of the Air Max Invigor is closer to the Air Max 95 Ultra than the regular 95s.
There are no wavy “muscle” panels on the Invigors, though. But the fuse mudguard mimics the waves on the lower side panels, giving it a similar aesthetic as the 95s wavy upper.
The Nike Air Max Invigor originally came out back in 2015 and has quickly become a staple pair of kicks at Nike HQ. Whilst the launch wasn’t overwhelmingly successful, in recent years you tend to see the Invigor on foot more and more around cities and towns in the UK. This is a great everyday shoe that won’t break the bank as much as it’s older brother, the Nike Air Max 95.
The visible Air unit in the heel, similar to that used on the Air Max 93 or Air Max Ltd 3 provides that all-day bounce to keep your feet comfortable. The rest of the cushioning comes from the soft foam midsole as the Invigor does not have forefoot Air. This is the main difference between the Invigor and the AM95 as the latter boasts visible forefoot and heel Air units.
When you compare the two models, you can easily recognise that the Nike Air Max 95 has more features. The Air Max 95 Ultra is the streamlined version of the AM95, and the Invigor is the simplest of the three.
All pairs utilise Bill Bowerman’s waffle traction pattern on the rubber outsole for reliable grip.
While the Nike Air Max Invigor runs true to size, its slim shape makes the shoe feel narrow in terms of width. People with wide feet can go a half size bigger to get a more comfortable fit. Those with normal and narrow feet can stay true to size and the shoe will fit just fine. The foam and mesh upper will eventually loosen up once broken in, making the shoe feel more comfortable.
To summarise, if you have any other comfortable Air Max shoe. We recommend matching up against this to get the right fit, alternatively, just go true-to-size. This is a straight forward fitting shoe.
If you’re expecting top-notch comfort, there are probably more comfortable cushioning systems, but this is all subjective. The Air Max Invigor does not have a forefoot Air Max unit unlike the Air Max 95, so there’s less bounce and cushioning. This may not necessarily be a bad thing, it’s still a pretty comfortable shoe.
In terms of using the Nike Air Max Invigor for gym use, you can still do some short workouts while wearing the Invigor, but it’s not suitable for running long distances.
To get more ideas on some of the most comfortable shoe cushioning technologies, we have further reading below:
Running shoes nowadays focus on cushioning and fit above all else. The era of Air Max trainers as running shoes has been over for quite some time now. Nike’s top-tier running shoes now utilise ZoomX foam and Zoom Air units.
The Nike Air Max Invigor may not be the best footwear choice when it comes to choosing your next running shoe. However, if you’re not going to run long distances and just looking for an all-around trainer, the Invigor can be a good option. You can go to the gym, train in various sports, and run short distances with this shoe. The midsole sits lower than other Air Max models, but the lack of an outrigger will affect the lateral stability big time.
Read this article about the Air Max 90 and why Air Max models are not ideal running kicks anymore.
The Nike Air Max Invigor come in both Women’s, Men’s and Kids’ sizing. Various colourways release in both men’s and women’s styles.
The Print edition boasts a gradient fade effect on the mesh and foam upper. Many Air Max 95 colourways also boasted the same gradient effect on the wavy upper. One of the most popular renditions is the “Neon” colourway headlined by a bright Volt Swoosh similar to the Air Max 95.
Select colourways of the Air Max Invigor are available on the Nike UK website. Check the link here.
Over the last few years the Nike Air Max Invigor has become one of Nike’s staple kicks. It’s a simpler version of the Air Max 95 with the absence of Air on the forefoot and with a lighter feel. The shoe provides a great level of comfort we expect from an Air Max Shoe, but at a lower price point than it’s older brother.
If you’re looking for an all conditions shoe to take a beating on days when the weather isn’t clear and sunny, The Nike Air Max Invigor is a great option to bust out with confidence.
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